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Yango App Now Alerts Muslim Drivers To Prayer Times
The latest update caters to the unique needs of Muslim drivers across several MENA countries, including the UAE and Morocco.
Ride-hailing platform Yango has added a new feature to its app aimed at helping drivers stick to their prayer schedules throughout the Muslim calendar. In addition, the update will also facilitate the distribution of Iftar boxes during the important Ramadan fast. The latest feature is available to all Yango drivers in the UAE, Morocco, and several other locations.
Launched during the current holy month of Ramadan, the new app features allow drivers to seamlessly integrate their work schedules with religious duties, using high-tech mapping and smart routing to identify the nearest mosques and plot routes even in unfamiliar locations.
Within the Yango app settings, drivers will receive 15-minute reminders before prayer times, with notifications automatically muted when prayers commence. The app also points drivers in the direction of the Qibla and allows prayer times to be calculated according to the user’s preferred Islamic convention.
Islam Abdul Karim, General Manager of Yango in the Gulf Coast Countries, explained: “The introduction of the new mode for drivers, permanent beyond the Ramadan period, is a step forward in our ongoing effort to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for partners’ drivers. It enriches their work-life balance, blending advanced technology with local customs and practices. We are keen to not only enhance their daily experience but also set standards for cultural consideration within the tech industry”.
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As a token of appreciation for the hard work and dedication of its drivers during Ramadan, Yango has also set up a dedicated zone to distribute special Iftar boxes, ensuring drivers on the road can break their fast.
Yango’s updated driver app joins a full suite of services from the company, including Yango Maps, Yango Play, Yango Tech, Arabic AI voice assistant Yasmina, and many more.
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UAE Prepares To Launch Two Satellites: Thuraya-2 And MBZ-SAT
HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum chaired the first meeting of the Supreme Space Council yesterday.
HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, chaired the first meeting of the Supreme Space Council in Dubai on December 16, 2024. The session highlighted the UAE’s ambitious space plans and took stock of the sector’s economic progress.
The council emphasized the growing role of private companies in advancing space technologies, noting that their contributions are now equal to that of the public sector. Members also praised initiatives like the Space Economic Zones Programme, which are designed to fuel innovation and investment in the space industry.
خلال ترؤسنا الاجتماع الأول للمجلس الأعلى للفضاء، بحثنا الاستثمارات الوطنية والمشاريع المقبلة في قطاع الفضاء والذي يشهد تطوراً مستمراً… وجددنا التزامنا بدعم ومواصلة تنفيذ برامج طموحة لاستكشاف الفضاء الخارجي حيث وصل حجم الاستثمارات في هذا القطاع إلى 40 مليار درهم خلال السنوات… pic.twitter.com/etJ33OnuSu
— Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) December 16, 2024
Discussing the UAE’s space journey, HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum remarked, “The national space sector continues to grow and advance, and we take immense pride in the remarkable achievements we have accomplished over the years”.
Sheikh Hamdan also received updates on two upcoming satellite projects: Thuraya-2 and MBZ-SAT. Thuraya-2, developed by Space42, is slated for launch this December. Meanwhile, the MBZ-SAT, created by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), will soon follow. MBRSC, a major driver of the UAE National Space Programme, continues to lead the nation’s space-related developments.
Space42 took the opportunity to showcase its advancements, including ongoing collaborations between public and private entities. The company also outlined strategies to promote innovation, boost revenue streams, and create new opportunities for growth in the sector.
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The UAE’s current projects build on a growing legacy of space exploration. Back in 2020, the nation made headlines with its Mars mission, successfully sending a probe into the planet’s orbit in 2021. This mission, which is now in its second phase as of June 2024, has been collecting critical data to develop a comprehensive diurnal image of Mars.
The UAE also ventured into lunar exploration with an unmanned mission aimed at studying untouched regions of the Moon’s surface. While the probe ultimately crashed during its landing attempt after communication was lost seconds before touchdown, the effort represented a significant step in the country’s exploration ambitions.